Bushido - The Seven Virtues Of Samurai

Bushido has been the samurai code of conduct in Japan for centuries. Based firmly on the teachings of Zen, Bushido was intended to help the samurai master their nature and understand their minds and the universe through direct experience—as well as through fostering strength, self-control and wisdom.

Bushido is based on seven essential principles:1. seigi : The right decision and rectitude2. yuki : Bravery and heroism3. jin: Compassion and benevolence to all4. reigi : Courtesy and right action5. makoto: Truthfulness and utter sincerity6. meiyo: Honor and glory7. chugi: Devotion and loyaltyMartial spirit and courage were, of course, essential aspects of Bushido. But for the samurai, Bushido‘s highest goal was complete virtue in thought and action. Each samurai followed a carefully-designed regimen of polite ceremony and etiquette intended to promote such virtue. With its emphasis on prescribed form, Bushido helped the samurai harmonize mind with body, enabling them to maintain a certain calmness, or heijoshin (literally, "ordinary everyday mind"), even in the face of hardship. Sincerity, kindness, honesty, filial piety and honor all formed part of the core of Bushido. And they were the seed from which the karate tradition grew. These attributes, and the wisdom, understanding and peaceful strength they promote, are some of karate’s greatest benefits. They are also among Japan’s greatest gifts to the world.

Those with limited or no exposure to the classical arts of Japan might define "martial art" as a sport in which the objective is to practice tournament-style sparring in order to attend contests and win trophies. Or they may define it based on what they have seen in the latest action movie.

Karate-Do is one of many Japanese "Budo", which literally means "way of war" or "art of war", but is much more than just a collection of war strategies. The ideogram 武道 Budo consists of two main symbols. The character 武 Bu , which is constructed by the combination of two ideograms. The first one is represented by two crossed spears symbolizing a military confrontation, and the second ideogram, yame denotes "stopping", "putting an end to", "discontinuing" therefore Bu literally means "to stop a conflict". The ideogram 道 Do can be translated as "way" or "path".

​As it can be clearly seen, "Budo" has a deeper meaning than just a method of fighting, it is endowed with a message of peace. What this means is that those who train in Karate-Do and the other arts, which make up the entire range of Japanese Budo, practice these combat techniques as a way to strengthen and develop character, to stop conflicts outside and inside of one self. It is a battle against one self, one's own weaknesses, hurts, disappointments, laziness, life's challenges etc.